Krachon — a Fine-Woven Bamboo Strainer with Long Handles to Rest Across a Pot, for Coconut Milk and Pla Ra

"The krachon is a basketry tool of open-holed form, woven from fine bamboo strips crossed so as to leave small holes all over, stretched on a rim of bamboo, rattan or wood, made both round and square, with long handles sticking out for resting across the mouth of a pot or bowl to catch the coconut milk." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Split bamboo and shave it into thin, fine strips of even size, scraped smooth with no splinters.

Weave the fine strips crosswise into a sheet, leaving small holes all over, a little larger than the rim.

Bend bamboo into a circle as the rim and stretch the woven sheet tight on it. Shave long bamboo pieces as handles sticking out on two sides, long enough to rest across a pot or bowl, and bind them firmly.

Real photos of a กระชอน (krachon) from พิพิธภัณฑ์พื้นบ้านหนองบัวโคก (Nong Bua Khok Folk Museum) (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Rest the krachon across the mouth of a pot or bowl and pour coconut milk or pla ra liquid through it; the residue stays on the krachon. It is also used for sifting, scooping shrimp, crabs and fish, or drying small seeds.

Other name: takraeng. In Isan cooking coconut milk is little used, so the takraeng or krachon is used more for straining pla ra (fermented fish) liquid. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, database of traditional everyday objects, "กระชอน", author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (licence CC BY 4.0), from the Nong Bua Khok Folk Museum, Buriram. **Limits.** The source gives no size or weave pattern; the sizes in the model are examples. We use jute twine instead of rattan to bind the handles.